Palm Bay’s Bright Future: What to Expect at the Feb. 20 City Council Meeting

Your Handy Guide to Baffle Boxes, Budget Boards, and Beyond 🏰

Palm Bay, mark your calendars! On February 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM, the City Council will convene at 120 Malabar Road SE to discuss a range of community-focused initiatives.

Meeting Highlights

Palm Bay’s City Council meeting on February 20, 2025, will tackle key projects and initiatives that directly impact the community. This month’s agenda includes updates to the Five-Year Capital Improvements Program, approval of the Richmond Cove Subdivision, and budget reconciliation for the City Hall “Building E” Project. These discussions are pivotal for advancing infrastructure, addressing housing demands, and enhancing city services.

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Notable Items on the Agenda

1. Community Development Advisory Board Vacancy

The city is seeking someone with expertise in affordable housing or finance to fill an open seat. This board helps guide decisions on growth and development, making it a valuable opportunity to ensure Palm Bay remains a great place to live.

2. Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month

Council will recognize March 2025 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, highlighting support for residents affected by these conditions. Keep an eye out for upcoming local events and ways to get involved.

3. Palm Bay Indian River Lagoon Baffle Boxes Project

Ever wondered how we can keep our lagoon cleaner? A baffle box is an underground stormwater treatment device used to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon.

• How It Works: Baffle boxes slow down stormwater runoff, allowing sediment, trash, and pollutants to settle out or be filtered before the water enters the lagoon.

• Key Benefits:

  • Capture debris and trash.

  • Reduce harmful nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

  • Intercept urban pollutants that would otherwise harm the ecosystem.

By treating runoff before it reaches the lagoon, these devices play a crucial role in protecting the delicate ecosystem of the Indian River Lagoon from the harmful effects of urban stormwater pollution. The city will discuss a partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to install more of these devices.

4. Aquatic Center Agreement

Florida Fish and Wildlife officials may soon train at the Palm Bay Aquatic Center. This partnership has zero additional cost to the city and helps strengthen emergency preparedness.

5. Rezoning at Clearmont Street and Franklin Drive

A 2.14-acre parcel located at the northeast corner of Clearmont Street and Franklin Drive may be rezoned from Community Commercial (CC) to Light Industrial (LI). This rezoning would enable the development of flex space for light industrial uses, supporting surrounding businesses like L3Harris. The site is currently vacant and surrounded by industrial zoning to the north, west, and south, making this change a logical extension of the area’s existing industrial character. The Planning and Zoning Board has already recommended approval of this rezoning request, citing consistency with the city's Comprehensive Plan objective to expand its industrial market. A final vote will be held during the council meeting.

6. Richmond Cove Subdivision Approval

Holiday Builders, Inc., is seeking final approval for an 86-lot single-family residential subdivision called Richmond Cove. Located west of Gaynor Drive and north of Ocean Spray Street, this 29.3-acre development is zoned as a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The subdivision will offer low-density residential homes and maintain compliance with Palm Bay’s building codes. The project is part of the city’s effort to meet growing housing demands while ensuring a balanced and sustainable development. The Planning and Zoning Board has reviewed the application and found it to be in substantial conformance with preliminary plans and city regulations. Final approval will be decided during the council meeting.

7. Malabar Springs Subdivision

The Malabar Springs project is seeking final subdivision plan approval for Phase 1, which includes 317 single-family residential lots. Situated north of Malabar Road NW and west of St. Johns Heritage Parkway, this phase is part of a larger development totaling 653 single-family homes and 232 multifamily units. The project includes stormwater management systems, recreational areas, and open spaces, all maintained by the Malabar Springs Community Development District. This subdivision is expected to bolster the local economy by creating jobs during construction and attracting new residents, which will support local businesses. Additionally, its proximity to key city infrastructure enhances connectivity and supports the city’s long-term growth objectives while maintaining sustainability.

8. Updates to CDBG Action Plans

The city is proposing substantial amendments to its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plans for Program Years 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025. These amendments aim to reallocate leftover funds from completed projects, cancel two projects, and provide additional funding to initiatives in need. Highlights include:

• Amendment 1: Canceling the Palm Bay Aquatic Center project due to HUD eligibility issues and transferring $50,710 to Liberty Park Improvements for enhanced backstop fabric, new clay for fields, and energy-efficient LED court lights.

• Amendment 2: Increasing funding for the Liberty Park Improvements project to a total of $134,190, enabling the city to address additional upgrades and meet expenditure goals.

• Amendment 3: Renaming the Riviera Park Improvements to Ken Greene Memorial Park Improvements to reflect the park’s official name change, with no changes to scope or budget.

• Amendment 4: Canceling the San Filippo Boulevard sidewalk construction project due to incomplete engineering and reallocating $270,266 to another sidewalk project along Wichita Boulevard to Babcock Street.

• Amendment 5: Introducing a new CDBG-funded Housing Rehabilitation Specialist position. This role will oversee property inspections, cost estimates, and rehabilitation project management, funded with $52,607.65 from leftover project funds.

These amendments are designed to maximize the city’s ability to utilize CDBG funds effectively while addressing community needs. The council will hold a public hearing before submitting the amendments to HUD for approval.

9. Comprehensive Plan Amendment near Micco Road

Palm Bay is considering a transformative proposal to rezone 133 acres near Micco Road and I-95 from low-density residential and neighborhood commercial to an Urban Mixed-Use (UMU) designation. The UMU designation is particularly beneficial for this area because it promotes a balance of housing, commerce, and public spaces within a pedestrian-friendly environment. Similar UMU projects in other cities have demonstrated success by increasing property values, reducing commuter traffic through mixed-use integration, and creating vibrant community hubs. By integrating residential, commercial, and recreational uses, the designation supports a walkable community while leveraging the proximity to major infrastructure like the St. Johns Heritage Parkway and I-95, enhancing connectivity and fostering economic growth.

10. Citizens Budget Advisory Board

A brand-new board could soon offer fresh perspectives on Palm Bay’s budget. If approved, five voting members and one at-large member (with a strong budgeting background) will collaborate with the City Manager and Finance Director to ensure our tax dollars are spent wisely.

11. Sustainability Advisory Board Amendments

The council aims to expand the board’s duties, focusing on renewable energy and eco-friendly city programs. The goal? To move Palm Bay closer to 100% clean energy in city operations by 2035.

12. City Hall “Building E” Budget Reconciliation

The City Hall "Building E" project, originally designed to house the Building Department and Utilities Customer Service, has evolved into a multipurpose facility, including a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and expanded IT offices. This initiative addresses critical infrastructure needs for Palm Bay, ensuring the city is better equipped for emergencies while providing modernized spaces for essential services.

13. Mid-Year Budget Priorities

Several departments are requesting more resources:

• IT Department: Needs funds for website improvements and security cameras.

• Parks and Facilities: Plans to repair key equipment, replace aging vehicles, and fix the cooling unit at the Senior Center.

• Police Department: Requests to purchase 24 new patrol vehicles to maintain quick response times.

• Public Works: Seeks various equipment, including a claw truck for debris cleanup and a sandbag machine filler for storm prep.

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How to Get Involved

• Attend the Meeting: Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers (120 Malabar Road SE).

• Public Comment: If you have a concern or wish to speak on any agenda item, fill out an orange Public Comment Card upon arrival. Each speaker is allotted three minutes.

By participating, you help shape Palm Bay’s future. Whether it’s voicing support for cleaner waterways or sharing ideas on budget priorities, your input can make a real difference.

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Curated by AI and fact-checked by The Palm Bayer’s editorial team.